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It’s a no brainer that a list can help you stay on track and knock off all those pesky tasks you’d rather not think about. So why not a list to ensure you do all the fun things you can squeeze into a summer? Fill it out and then feel the satisfaction — not only in checking things off the list but also in experiencing all the fun things summer can bring. This just might be the summer you actually do it ALL!

The end of the school year is here for some (and fast approaching for the rest) so it’s time to think about how to tell your child’s teacher just how special they are. Here is some great inspiration from Cool Mom Picks for finding or creating that perfect gift that shows your appreciation and documents the memorable moments from this school year.

It was just a week ago that I was stuffing candy and money into Easter eggs; now it’s time to look toward graduations and summer birthdays. If you’re looking for a creative way to give some dough consider stuffing rolled up bills into balloons, then inflating the balloons. And if you need to send a long-distance care package — no sweat! Just partially inflate the balloons and stuff into a box and mail. You’ll really pull a fast one on the lucky recipient because the box will feel like it’s empty!

Most kids and parents are familiar with the title character in the popular children’s book “Flat Stanley.” After being smashed by a bulletin board in his sleep, the book’s protagonist makes the most of his new 2-D state by mailing himself to friends. Check out this AWESOME story about a third grade boy who sends his Flat Stanley to a soldier stationed in Baghdad. Fast forward to the boy who’s now a senior in high school. Read the full article here to find out what happens next… you’ll love it!

After seeing these beasts of plastic, you’ll never look at trash in the same way again. Corsican artist Gilles Cenazandotti is the creator who sifts through the sands in search of plastic garbage washed ashore. Beyond the eye-catching art, his animal sculptures speak to the overconsumption and its effects on wildlife. He also photographs a lonely portrait of each in nature, almost as if these beasts of plastic have taken over what we once knew as the animal kingdom.

I love the tradition this traveling dad has started… coloring in drawings his kids give him when he heads out of town, and then sharing the results when he gets home. Not only is it a great way for dad to stay connected to home; it’s also great to see the shared creativity. The kids can’t wait to see dad, and their drawings that have been brought to life!

The Olympics are over but winter isn’t, so now what? It’s time to turn off the TV and make some magic all our own!

These crystal projects from parents.com look like they have the beautiful combination of simple execution and cool results!

It turns out BORAX, an old-school cleaning powder, is also a neat tool for teaching about the basic structures of minerals, or crystals. When pipe cleaners are submerged in a solution of borax and hot water then cooled, glimmering crystals grow. Safety note: Parents will need to supervise kids for this activity. Borax is generally considered safe for home use, but it should not be inhaled or ingested.

Well, any hour now we’re expecting our next snowstorm AND it’s a long weekend with the holiday on Monday. What will we do with ourselves? For some good, cheap and creative fun, I’m loving these spur of the moment sketches done by Victor Nunes via Visual News. Beyond how cool these look, what’s even cooler is how there aren’t major preparations involved to pull this off. And who doesn’t have objects like food, matches, and scissors at home? It’s fascinating to see these inanimate 3D pieces come to life with simple sketches.

Try it for yourself… spread some paper on the kitchen table, go on the hunt for objects then challenge the family to create. Make a game of it… try and guess each other’s sketches or build upon each other’s, creating a story and scene.